The Senate failed Wednesday to begin debate on President Joe Biden’s national security package, with Republicans unifying to filibuster it due to a lack of immigration limits that they have demanded be a condition for winning their support. The vote was 49-51, with Republicans voting against moving forward with the bill, along with Senator Bernie Sanders, (I-Vermont), who caucuses with Democrats. Sanders has said he opposes giving aid to Israel unconditionally unless Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government changes its practice, which he has called “immoral” and “in violation of international law.” The failed vote leaves U.S. aid to Ukraine and Israel on life support on Capitol Hill, even as President Biden makes a dire plea for approving it to stop Russia from conquering Ukraine. Before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) reiterated his offer to Republicans to craft a border amendment of their choosing and vote on it as part of the bill at a threshold of 60 votes. When all senators had voted on Wednesday, the outcome was 50-50, but Leader Schumer changed his vote to a no to preserve his procedural option to bring up the bill again. Even if the Senate reaches a deal and passes it, there’s no guarantee it will pass muster in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson, (R-Louisianna), is under pressure from conservative hard-liners to insist on a far-reaching border and immigration package, known as H.R. 2, that Democrats say is a nonstarter.
For today, the Senate is considering a Motion to discharge S.J.Res.51 – A joint resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Syria that have not been authorized by Congress, from the Committee on Foreign Relations. The Senate will also consider two nominations: confirmation of the nomination of Elizabeth H. Richard a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large and a Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Richard E.N. Federico to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit.
Before adjourning for the week, the House passed by a vote of 210 – 189, H.J. Res. 88 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program .
The House also passed H. Res. 914 – Censuring Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-New York) after he falsely pulled a fire alarm in a House office building in September, hitting him with a congressional reprimand that liberals derided as “extreme” and “profoundly stupid.” The chamber voted 214-191-5, mostly along party lines, on the resolution to censure Bowman. Three Democrats — Representatives Chris Pappas (New Hampshire), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington) and Jahana Hayes (Connecticut) — voted with all present Republicans in favor of the censure.
